A Colombia-to-South Florida move connects the immigration route, the school calendar and the departure-year tax questions. Colombia is an E-2 treaty country, there is no U.S.–Colombia income tax treaty, and the school answer depends on whether your children follow Calendario A or Calendario B. This guide covers each of those across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Le Strand coordinates them into one written Le Strand Landing Plan.
Which U.S. visa routes do Colombian families use?
Colombian families can discuss E-2, L-1, EB-5, O-1 and the employment-based green cards. The State Department lists Colombia as an E-1 and E-2 treaty country, with the treaty in force since 10 June 1948.
- E-2 treaty investor. This suits owners who invest in, develop and direct a U.S. business. Eligibility follows Colombian nationality. See E-2 intelligence.
- L-1 intracompany transfer. This suits executives and managers of Colombian groups expanding into the United States. See L-1 intelligence and business expansion with a family move.
- EB-5 investor green card. For petitions filed on or after 15 March 2022, the USCIS Policy Manual sets the minimum at $1,050,000, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project. The amounts are scheduled to adjust on 1 January 2027. See EB-5 intelligence.
- O-1, EB-1 and EB-2. These suit people with extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, and professionals with advanced degrees. See O-1 and EB-2.
Colombia is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Colombian passport holders need a B-1/B-2 visa for scouting trips. Visitor status does not authorise employment. Independent immigration counsel confirms permitted scouting-trip activities and whether any later application to change status is available. Independent immigration counsel advises on the route. Le Strand builds the family's sequence around their answer. See the U.S. immigration pathways overview.
What do Calendario A and Calendario B mean for a Florida school move?
The answer depends on the calendar your children follow now. Colombia's Ministry of Education describes two school calendars. Calendario A, used by official (public) schools, generally runs from January or February to November or December. Calendario B, kept by some private schools, generally runs from August or September to June or July.
- Calendario B families have the simplest transition. The year generally ends in June or July, and Florida's 2026–27 year began on 10 August 2026 in Broward and Palm Beach and on 13 August 2026 in Miami-Dade. A summer move can align the school calendars. The receiving school confirms grade placement from the child's records.
- Calendario A families face a mismatch. A child who finishes in November or December joins a Florida class mid-year, in January. A child who leaves in June steps out partway through the Colombian year. The receiving school decides placement from records.
Florida law makes a child eligible for public kindergarten if they turn five on or before 1 September. Bring translated report cards (boletines) and the vaccination record. Bring vaccination records for a Florida health professional to complete Form DH 680 or the applicable exemption documentation. Miami-Dade County Public Schools offers Spanish across its International Studies and K-12 language programmes, which helps children keep academic Spanish.
Le Strand coordinates the school timetable with the home search. Schools and districts decide admissions. See Schools & family and the South Florida education corridor.
For a later intake, confirm the receiving school's published calendar, application deadline and available places. Private-school dates vary. Le Strand places those confirmed dates alongside the home and adviser timetable.
What tax questions should Colombian families raise?
Start with the treaty position. The United States and Colombia have no income tax treaty. Colombia does not appear on the IRS list of U.S. income tax treaty partners, and no U.S.–Colombia Social Security agreement appears on the SSA list. Domestic rules in each country apply without treaty relief.
Colombia's tax residence rules include a day-count test and additional criteria for Colombian nationals. Ask your advisers how the more-than-183-days-in-365 test, family residence, income, assets and the statutory exceptions affect your departure year. The U.S. substantial presence test uses a different, weighted three-year formula. In the year of the move, the two tests can overlap.
Questions to take to your advisers: In which year do we stop being Colombian tax residents, given the 365-day window? How will income from Colombian companies, fincas and rental property be taxed in the United States without a treaty? What should we file with DIAN in the year we leave? When do we meet the IRS substantial presence test? Which U.S. reporting applies to Colombian accounts, including the FBAR and Form 8938? Should Colombian holdings be reorganised before arrival?
Le Strand records these questions, owners and dates in the Landing Plan. Your Colombian contador and your U.S. tax adviser provide the answers.
Choosing an area in South Florida
Le Strand helps each family compare areas against its own priorities: the daily commute, the school journey, the setting it wants and the type of property. Every shortlist covers Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and each option is compared at the address level, with the journeys that shape the family's ordinary week.
- For a short drive to Brickell offices: Brickell for apartment living, with Coconut Grove in the City of Miami and Coral Gables, including Gables Estates and Cocoplum, a few miles south-west of downtown Miami.
- Near established public and private school options: Coral Gables and Coconut Grove for established residential streets near schools in Miami-Dade County.
- For waterfront and island living: Key Biscayne, reached by the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell Avenue, and Miami Beach and the Venetian Islands across Biscayne Bay. Fisher Island, Star Island, Indian Creek, Bal Harbour and Surfside offer different coastal and island settings.
- For canal-front homes and boating: the Fort Lauderdale waterfront, including Las Olas Isles and Harbor Beach, in Broward County, with a central position between Miami and Palm Beach.
- For condominium living between Miami and Fort Lauderdale: Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach in Miami-Dade County.
- For more space and a quieter base: Palm Beach, Manalapan, Gulf Stream, Boca Raton and its waterfront enclaves in Palm Beach County.
See the Miami landing overview, the Fort Lauderdale landing overview and the Palm Beach landing overview.
The Landing Plan compares a shortlist across counties on weekday commute, school runs and airport access before any commitment.
Which flights connect South Florida and Colombia?
Miami's October schedule lists Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena nonstops. JetBlue's Fort Lauderdale network includes Cali, Barranquilla, Medellín and Cartagena; its Cali route launched on 15 October 2026. Compare Avianca's available Fort Lauderdale itineraries as well. Bogotá is one hour behind Florida during U.S. daylight saving time and on the same time in the northern winter.
Route examples checked 19 October 2026. Confirm operating dates, seasonal service and connections with the airline before booking. Compare total journey time, including the transfer to your South Florida destination.
What practical steps are specific to Colombian families?
Four practical items to plan for Colombian families: the driver's licence, credit history, consular services and insurance.
- Driver's licence. Florida requires new residents to get a Florida licence within 30 days of establishing residency. Colombia is not on Florida's list of jurisdictions with a test waiver, so Colombian licence holders take the knowledge and driving tests. Since 6 February 2026, these exams are given in English only.
- Credit history. Ask the receiving bank, lender or landlord which U.S. credit records and alternative financial evidence it accepts. Bring your existing records into that conversation before committing to a lease or vehicle finance. Le Strand coordinates the document timetable with the institutions you choose.
- Consular services. The Consulate of Colombia in Miami handles passports, civil registration and notarial services for Colombians in South Florida.
- Insurance and hurricane season. Hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Windstorm and flood cover affect the cost of owning a home and the timing of closings.
How does Le Strand coordinate a Colombia-to-South Florida move?
Le Strand begins with a Landing Assessment. It records the household, the visa route under discussion, the Colombian calendar your children follow, the tax-year question and how the Florida home will be used. The Le Strand Landing Plan then sets out the sequence in writing, with dependencies, dates and owners.
Le Strand introduces you to independent immigration counsel and U.S. tax professionals experienced with Colombian families where you need them. It coordinates their requirements with your existing advisers, the school plan and the property search. For the wider regional view, see Latin America to Florida, and see the Landing Plan and the family scouting trip.
Frequently asked questions
Can Colombians get an E-2 visa?
Yes. The State Department lists Colombia as an E-1 and E-2 treaty country under a treaty in force since 10 June 1948. Independent immigration counsel confirms whether a specific investment qualifies.
My children are on Calendario B. When should we move?
Calendario B generally ends in June or July, so a summer move can align with Florida's August start. Confirm your child's school calendar and receiving-school placement. For 2026–27, the public-school opening dates were 10 August 2026 in Broward and Palm Beach and 13 August 2026 in Miami-Dade.
My children are on Calendario A. What are our options?
You can move in the summer and leave the Colombian year early, or finish the Colombian year and join Florida mid-year in January. The receiving school decides placement from records.
Is there a U.S.–Colombia tax treaty?
No. Colombia does not appear on the IRS list of U.S. income tax treaties, and no Social Security agreement is in force. Take cross-border questions to your advisers early.
Which South Florida airport serves Colombia?
Compare MIA and FLL. MIA's October schedule lists five Colombian cities; JetBlue's FLL network includes Cali, Barranquilla, Medellín and Cartagena. Check your city and dates before choosing the airport.
Can I use my Colombian driver's licence after moving?
New residents need a Florida licence within 30 days of establishing residency. Colombian licence holders take the knowledge and driving tests, in English.
Do Colombians need a visa to visit South Florida before moving?
Yes. Colombia is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so each family member needs a valid B-1/B-2 visa.
Relocation guides by country
Each guide sets out the country-specific sequence for a move to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Sources checked October 2026
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U.S. Department of State: Visa Waiver Program and visitor visas
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Palm Beach County Tax Collector: overseas licence test waivers
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Hillsborough County Tax Collector: English-language examination policy
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Florida Legislature: public-school entry age, section 1003.21
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JetBlue: Cali launch and four-city Colombia network, 15 October 2026
